Private DMs, a real suite, and one operator who can't read your DMs
Let's be precise about what Peopoli is — because the Fediverse crowd will check. Peopoli is not federated: it's one self-hosted platform run by one operator. What it offers that most instances can't is the rest: end-to-end encrypted DMs (X25519, zero-knowledge key escrow), chronological feeds, a full app suite, and creator monetization at 10%.
Mastodon vs Peopoli, point by point
Honest about architecture
One operator, open standards, self-hostable stack. We won't call it federation — it isn't.
DMs the server can't read
Whisper encrypts client-side; even the encrypted backup key is zero-knowledge. Most instances' DMs are server-readable.
No instance-picker anxiety
One domain, one account, one moderation policy — no picking an instance like a landlord.
Exodus-proof
When a platform scandal sends refugees looking for somewhere to stay, the usual failure is 'sign up, look around, leave.' Here there's a suite to land in.
| Mastodon | Peopoli | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform take / cost | Free and federated; most instances have no E2E messaging, no app suite, no monetization. | Free plan; $5.99–$30.99/mo; 10% + processing on creator earnings |
| Your data | Vendor silo | Open standards (JMAP, CalDAV), EPUB/CSV/BibTeX exports, hard delete |
| Connected suite | One thing | 25+ apps on one identity |
| Privacy | Varies | Zero trackers; E2E DMs with zero-knowledge escrow |
Last verified: October 2026. Competitor details are their published rates and tiers; corrections welcome and dated.
If the fediverse got you out of the ad networks but left you without DMs, an audience or an income, Peopoli is the 'stay' option.
Claim your @username — free.
Self-service registration. No waitlist, no credit card, no trial clock.
Your public profile lives at me.peopoli.com/@yourname